Messi leads World Cup 2026 dribble chart with 24 after England semi-final win
Messi overtook Spain's Lamine Yamal to become the player with the most successful dribbles in the 2026 World Cup after recording nine dribbles and two assists in Argentina's 2-1 semi-final win over England, taking his tournament total to 24.
This matters because it shows that even at 39, Lionel Messi can still out-dribble the world's best young talents, offering a clear example of how technical skill and experience can decide top-level matches—a lesson for Nigerian players and fans who value flair and creativity on the pitch.
Know the current dribble leaders: Messi 24, Yamal 22, Vinicius Junior 16, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise 15 each. As Argentina heads to the final, watch how Messi's dribbling creates chances and consider what aspect of his game—his close control, vision, or relentless work rate—young Nigerian footballers might emulate to lift their own game.
Argentina will face either Spain or France in the final, giving Messi another chance to extend his record.